RAR #70: How to Find Time to Read as a Busy Mom
Today I’m addressing a question I get ALL THE TIME – how to find time to read.
How do we cultivate a reading life in the midst of parenting, life, and other general busyness? In this episode I’m addressing the best ways I have found to fit more reading into my life.
I’m sharing my favorite tips. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll also like Episode 119 with Anne Bogel, Cultivating Your Own Reading Life.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- why we need to prioritize our own reading and let our kids “catch” us reading often
- what you can trade-off for reading
- how to find “surprise pockets” for reading
- which time of day I use to get the bulk of my reading in
What I read over the last six months:
Click the play button below:
Books from this episode:
(All links are affiliate links.)
I can’t find the book list of all of these books in the comments like it is noted above. How can I get a list of all of them?
Where do I find your Mama Book Club?
Mama Book Groups are a part of RAR Premium Membership!
Oh my goodness! I have sometimes felt guilty for having a messy-ish house because I read a lot. My friends always wonder HOW I read and well, it’s usually because at naptime instead of cleaning, I read! I’m glad to find a fellow messy(ish) reader!!
Hello! Is there a list of the books you’ve read for each month? I’ve tried locating the titles within the comments on the Instagram posts and haven’t found them. Thank you! : )
Looks like there isn’t actually a list for the March pic–sorry! But if you look in the comments of other posts, there’s a place to click to Load More Comments. I clicked that and then scrolled way up 5 times to find Sarah’s notes. Kind of cumbersome!
I listen to audio books all the time. I sync my bluetooth speaker to my iPad and listen while cooking dinner, doing laundry, taking a shower and doing any chores, I can turn it up as loud as I need to. I love to read, but find that when reading I need it quiet. I have a very hard time reading while anyone is talking or there is a lot of background noise. I have 3 kids that really like to talk and ask a lot of questions so this can be frustrating. I have tried ear buds and that does work, but like you said I don’t want to do that all the time.
I fit more reading time in during the summer mowing! I asked for some noise-cancelling headphones for while I was mowing for Christmas … and now I get in about 3-4 hours of additional “reading” (yay Audiobooks!!) per week in the spring, and every 2 to 3 weeks when the grass slows down a little or it’s really dry. But I’ve enjoyed all sorts of reading – and can very distinctly remember listening to Shauna Niequist’s “Bread and Wine” while cruising down our ditch, tears streaming down my face, waving to the passing neighbours. What was a dreaded chore is now a favourite reading time for me!
Don’t you love how certain books get connected to certain places/time?! Love this so much, Hayley!
Great ideas! I’ve always loved to read and hope to pass on that love to my 3 young kids. My husband and I read to them every day–always at bedtime, but also whenever we get the chance throughout the day. I’m homeschooling, and we’re using a wonderful humanities curriculum called Tapestry of Grace that uses lots of age-appropriate, real books to teach history and literature, chronologically, in an integrated way.
I’m also in the midst of publishing a book called The Advent Storybook that starts with Creation and journeys through ancient history, tracing God’s recurring promise to send a Rescuer. My hope is that families will read one story together each day in December, remembering that Jesus came to make everything good and new again, like it was in the beginning. Then, as they remember, they can truly celebrate the birth of our Rescuer on Christmas Day. Thanks for the ideas!
I read in the snatched minutes you mentioned, Sarah and generally before bed. Reading helps quiet my brain, and I fall asleep better than when I don’t read.
I also read while I fold laundry. It’s become easier now that most of my reading is on Kindle. It’s turned folding into my favorite chore. It’s become a soothing me-time activity.
This was such a great episode! I have done almost all of the suggestions you talked about. I saw other comments talking about this too, but definitely having a list of books you want to read has been very helpful to me. I always know what I want to read next. I also make sure I have at least 3 books waiting for me to read (borrowed from library or purchased). I’m also totally okay with abandoning books that I’m not enjoying at the moment (one of the reasons I always have at least 3 books ready to read). I take advantage of every quick 5-10 minute spurts of time to read. We also have a quiet reading time for 30 minutes in the afternoon before my kids do quiet time. I read again toward the end of their quiet time. I always have an audio book going. I try to have a non-fiction book mixed in with the fiction. It’s not uncommon for me to have 3 books going at one time. Listening to this podcast and Anne Bogel’s has helped SO much!
Great episode! I was encouraged to know I am already doing so many of these things! Like your friend, I also never leave the house without a book (but I do need to remember a snack! ). And when we do our reading in the middle of the day like you, we call it D.E.A.R time – Drop Everything And Read – love this time of day. Thanks for the podcast and now I am heading to podcast #66 because I am so happy to hear that audiobooks count! =)
Thanks for these suggestions! I have major focus issues because of my ADD so for me, reading can often be challenging. One way I get in a lot more books is by using visual tracking on Goodreads or something similar. There is something very rewarding for me to plug in the amount of reading I’ve accomplished and see the little bar get bigger or whatever method I’m using. That’s also why your simple reading calendar works so well for me! Finding what motivates you to pick up a book is such a great way to grow that reading muscle.
I LOVED this podcast! Thank you so much for sharing these ideas (I took notes!) the only thing I would add to get the library app on your phone and to request good books constantly! This helps me read more often- we drop off/pick up weekly, I always have a new book to read
I was wondering if a 64 GB iPod would hold a few books or just one? This seems like a silly question, but they are pretty cheap on Amazon and I’m thinking of buying them for my kids since they love audio books! Thank you for this podcast!
Wow, that’s a lot of books in those photos. I’m still on the same read aloud book for the last few months! :( I really need to listen to this episode. About to start now.
What do think, does reading off of a Kindle count as seeing mommy reading?? I recently got one and it has helped me start reading more than I have in the past 2 decades. But I don’t think my kids see it as real Reading! 😂 They think I’m just nose stuck in technology. So to benefit my kids do you think I should get real paper books?
What are “middle grade reading books”? I’m sorry, but I don’t understand the terminology
They’re books generally written for a younger audience–usually 8-12 years old. :)
Sarah,
I write comments to you in my head while I walk and listen to your podcast. I am sorry I forget to send them when I get home. But your podcast has been SO inspiring to me over the last not-sure-how-long-I’ve-been-listening. It’s reminded me of things I’d gotten too busy and distracted for, and prompted me to start afresh on reading together with my children. It’s introduced us to SO many wonderful books and my to-read pile is getting bigger and bigger. And now you’ve spoken to my heart about getting my OWN reading time reinstated and revitalized. I’m so thankful for this most recent episode, and so excited to start making some purposeful read-more changes. I know I probably sound all zealous and gushy. It’s on purpose, I really AM zealous and gushy.
Thank you.
I love your podcast! I have been doing many of your tips already and they work great. One other thing I do is keep my Kindle app loaded with books. Then when I’m wanting to grab my phone, my books are right there. Also, I have more success getting through library books than books I own because if I don’t finish a library e-book, it just vanishes. That due date/vanishing date pushes me to get the books read asap. I’ve been known to check out e-books of books I own in hard copy just so I have the due date push. Keep up the great work you do!
I’m inspired to step away from the Instagram and into a good book (again). It was amazing how much I read during Lent when I didn’t partake in Candy Crush. The one thing that really helps me is reading during breakfast. I get up way before my children, to eat breakfast (in peace) and have my prayer time. I read a spiritual book while I eat. It’s just a few pages a day, but those pages really add up! And it helps me wake up a bit before moving onto bigger things. I’m almost finished with the Benedict Option, read purely during breakfast.
Thanks so much for this episode. I love reading Middle Grade novels. I set a goal to read through all the Newbery Award Winners. It’s so fun! Keep up the good work!
I loved this episode too — the “trading” bit really helped me to reframe it. I’m more used to the term “sacrifice” which is such a negative concept. I feel like I spend my whole life sacrificing! Trading is a great term for it.
My tip is to have a small section of my bookshelf for “to read next”. I feel like I often lose steam on reading if I finish a good book and don’t have something else to move straight on to. I get out of the habit and I lose momentum. It can be weeks before I picked up a book again. Having a physical stack (small, so I don’t get disheartened) means there is no reason for me to put off getting stuck into another book. It includes a library book or two, books loaned from friends and existing books from my own shelves that I’ve always wanted to read and never have. And new books too ;)
Thank you for this excellent episode! After listening, I thought through my daily routine and carved out some time to read (for myself – yay!!). I read a lot to my kids, but my own reading is more sporadic. Thank you for this encouragement to make my own reading a priority. Also I LOVE your podcast! I only listen to 5 podcasts total, and yours is one of my absolute favorites!!
Love this post Sarah! And short which means I listened while waiting at soccer practice, AFTER I read a little bit. Your podcast with Anne from MMD is the one that lit the flame for my personal reading. Her ability to read as much as she does is amazing, plus she has made it her job. I’m not out to break records or impress with lofty titles, but once I really started reading (and for me), I couldn’t stop. Again, I’m not breaking records, but I have found a nice balance for myself. We are a homeschooling family too, but finding a few minutes here and there adds up. I do bulk reading in the early morning, when I’m waiting alone and mostly at night. And yes! middle grade books are fantastic. I think it is important for Moms to read so they may enrich their own souls. Hugs to you Sarah, and thanks too, for keeping it real.
Sarah, this episode was absolutely amazing. I’m still catching up on past episodes, but this one just called out to me.
I took notes! This advice is so simple and intuitive but I loved having it laid out explicitly. I really feel like I can do this!
Finally, thank you for permission to read middle grade novels! I had started gravitating toward my tweens’ books, but I felt sort of guilty and like I was letting myself down by reading “kids’ books”. My husband kept saying reading is reading and just read what you like, but I couldn’t get past it. The way you framed it was really encouraging.
Your podcast and blog are so real and down to earth. Thanks for being one of the “good ones” in Internetland. :)
This comment from you made my day, Elana! Thank you for that! And I’m so glad the episode was helpful to you. 💚
Such good ideas. I’m in the grandmothering stage, but I still work fulltime, so identifying reading time remains a challenge. (I drop everything and read to my grands whenever I can.) I read during my lunch hour in our company’s break room and can complete a book in a couple of weeks. I heard author Robert Benson speak a couple of years ago, and he shared his approach to reading which includes reading non-fiction during the day to inform his work and fiction at night to inform his dreams. I’ve been adapting that ever since to good effect. Love your podcasts. Keep ’em coming.
Oooh, I like that. Informing the work and informing the dreams.
I sit with my kids as they fall asleep and listen to audio books ;)
My tip to add to your list is to keep a list of books you want to read or that people have recommended to you. I have found there are times I have wanted something to read but didn’t know what to read but since I’ve kept a list (in Evernote) I’m never stuck for a good title.
What’s a middle-grade fiction book?
Middle-grade includes books written for kids age 8-12. 😊
I love seeing what you’ve been reading to get some ideas to add to my reading list. :) Is there a place where the titles are posted? It’s hard for me to see all of the titles on my screen from your pictures. Thank you!!
Kaylin–we just added links to each of the posts on Instagram. If you look in the comments, Sarah lists each of the books!
My little ones go to bed pretty early. I read to them, then tuck them in and sit in the room while they fall asleep. I use this time to read for me. I have, on more than one occasion, stayed there a good half hour after everyone is already asleep because I just don’t want to stop! *sheepish grin*